Children tied up in home invasion

Authorities are investigating a home invasion that occurred in Crescent City on Sunday.

Six juveniles ranging from small children to young teenagers had their hands bound while three masked intruders brandishing weapons took an undisclosed amount of money from the 430 Lauff Ave. residence, said sheriff’s Commander Bill Steven.

The victims and suspects are believed to be members of the Hmong community, Steven said.

The suspects entered the house while the parents were away, Steven said.

“There’s no indication... that they knew right away who it was,” said Steven, adding one victim suffered minor injuries.

A relative of the family told the Triplicate three males knocked on the front door of the residence, covered the peep hole and as the kids opened the door forced their way into the house and ordered the kids into a bedroom where their hands were taped. One of the males was wearing a black ski mask and two others wore Halloween masks; a blue, alien face and a skull face, the relative said.

One of the kids had a bruised cheek after he was pushed into a pole supporting bunk beds, a 16-year-old girl was punched in the face and a 14-year-old had a red mark left on her cheek after one of the males shoved a gun to her face, the relative said.

“They’re recuperating. They’ve been shaken really bad,” said the relative. “They went to school today, but they didn’t do too well. It’s probably going to take some time for them to heal and move on.”

The suspects used a two-way radio to communicate in English and Hmong with another male who may been in a get-away car parked a block or two away, the relative said.

The males rifled through the house taking jewelry, money and a handgun, he said.

The Sheriff’s Felony Investigation Unit is heading the case and is expecting to make arrests soon, Steven said.

Reach Anthony Skeens at
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